Lodging Madrid Program
This page contains links to the cities of Madrid and Paris  as well as the official page of the residence and the hotel.  We encourage you to read and get familiar with the places where you will visit and stay.

Dorm/hotel Behavior:  Participants are expected to behave properly and follow norms of behavior as described on our web site under Rules and Regulations.   Participants are responsible to the hotel for the condition of the rooms and for all of their personal expenses (phone calls, mini bar).

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In Madrid (July 2 - 26)

The main residence and the residence where participants are housed and take classes is the Colegio Mayor Mara. Some of the dorm facilities are: Laundry room, dining room, snack bar, tennis court, pool, auditorium, and basketball court. Some of the classrooms and common areas have air-conditioning, however, the rooms do not. 

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided daily except Sunday.  Lunch is not provided on the one day tours that depart in the morning and return in the afternoon.  Breakfast consists of coffee, juice, bread or muffin. Lunch consists of a salad/vegetable, main course, side dish, bread, and fruit/dessert. Seconds are allowed. Dinner is similar to lunch.  Bedding and towels are provided.

Colegio Mayor Mara
Juan XXIII, 15, Madrid 28040
Ph: 34-91-553-6603

The Mara is situated in the Moncloa section of Madrid's Ciudad Universitaria. Public transportation is within 100 meters from the residence. The residence is approximately  30 minute walking distance from the center of Madrid.  

Note:  If the size of the group exceeds the occupancy limits of the Mara, a nearby similar second residence is used. If there is a need for a second residence, the information about the residence will be posted during the month of March.  Forspro will place groups and individuals at its discretion.

Getting Around:  It is very easy and inexpensive to travel in Madrid.  The metro and the Circular bus takes you from the residence to the center of Madrid in 15 minutes or less depending on the traffic and/or waiting time.  For more information about the metro visit http://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html.

 In Paris (July 26 - 29)

Your Hotel:
Hotel Novotel La Defense
 2 Boulevard de Neuilly, La Défense 1
92081 PARIS LA DEFENSE CEDEX, FRANCE
Tel : (+33)1/41452323
Access: In the city centre underground station :
LA DEFENSE

Where is it located? The Novotel Paris La Defense is located on the doorstep of the commercial area, La Defense, 50 meters from the Metro (underground station: LA DEFENSE). The metro station along with a Chinese restaurant and a few stores is around the back of the hotel.

Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Arrival Day: Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Time to rest or to start exploring Paris. We suggest you take L1 metro to the Champs-Elysees or the Latin Quarters to begin your Paris experience. This wide, tree-lined avenue is home to the city's chic restaurants, shops and boutiques. There is a tourist office there as well.

  • Day 2: Depart at 09:30 for sightseeing tour of Paris (only for those who purchased the city tour package). The tour takes about 2.5 hours. Afternoon free to explore Paris on your own. Suggestion: Visit Louvre Museum.

  • Day 3: Breakfast. Free day to explore Paris and its many attractions. Those who purchased the city tours will receive a ticket for the Seine River boat ride.

  • Day 4: Breakfast. Return to the US.

Getting Around: Paris is a relatively easy city to get around. The centre is fairly compact and most of the sights are within walking distance of one another. The best way to get around is by Metro (See Metro Map).

Attractions: There are numerous sites to see in Paris. Below are just a few.
Eiffel Tower - This breathtaking landmark was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. The most spectacular views of Paris are witnessed from all floors of the Eiffel Tower. Montmartre - This elevated neighborhood features a collection of upscale shops and cafés while still retaining hints of old village charm.
Place de la Concorde - This busy landmark square at the end of the Champs Élysées offers a true Parisian experience. The Concorde Square was formerly called the Revolution Square as it was the site of the guillotine that executed Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.
Place St Sulpice - This famous square, which is situated in the heart of the fashion district, features a beautiful church.
Montparnasse Tower - This striking tower at Montparnasse rises 209 metres / 690 feet above Paris and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city from its observation deck. Conciergerie - Situated on the Ile-de-la-Cité, this former jail which held prisoners during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, is open to the public and now makes up much of the Palais de Justice complex.
Musée Rodin - 77 Rue de Varenne
Musée du Louvre - Palais du Louvre, Cours Napoléon
Musée d'Orsay - 1 Rue de Bellechasse